2026 Skoda Kushaq facelift breaks cover at Skoda Auto India unveil
The facelift of the much awaited Skoda mid-size SUV is here, featuring a panoramic sunroof, new full-width digital cluster and rear seat massage function;
By : Adarsh Pandey
Update: 2026-01-20 07:15 GMT
The facelift gets refreshed styling, a panoramic sunroof and a strongly equipped base variant
2026 Skoda Kushaq facelift design
This updated Kushaq now resembles the look of the newer Skoda SUVs such as the Kylaq and the latest Kodiaq. Receives a wider butterfly grille with an illuminated element at the front with updated LED light signatures. The lower front end redesigned LED fog lamp housing, a reprofiled bumper with a new skid plate. In profile it largely remains unchanged, with the exception of a new wheel design. Alloy wheels are standard, starting at 16 inches and going up to 17 inches. Like the front, the rear section also gets a major overhaul and now features illuminated Skoda lettering and a full-width light bar on the tailgate. It is done in a very similar way to the Kodiaq’s setup with a translucent shroud around the main strip of light. The main tail light housing flanking the side also has new LED signatures within them. The Monte Carlo variant gets red painted brake callipers, while three new exterior paint finishes are added to the existing five options — Shimla Green, Cherry Red and Steel Grey.
2026 Skoda Kushaq facelift interior and features
On the inside, again the dashboard layout remains faithful to the original Kushaq, but now features a 10.25-inch digital cluster screen on the Prestige and Monte Carlo variants, while the Signature and Sportline variants continue with the familiar 8-inch units. There’s a 10.1-inch infotainment screen which now gets a companion app powered by Google Automotive AI agent which will be available from the Signature variant onwards. Other notable changes are the panoramic sunroof on the Prestige and Monte Carlo variants, while the rest of the range gets a single-pane sunroof. With this facelift, Skoda has introduced a massage function in the second row of seats, limited to the Prestige and Monte Carlo variants, these models also get 6-way power adjustable seats with ventilation. There’s also dual colour ambient lighting from Signature variant onwards as well as new seat upholstery design across the range. The Monte Carlo variant is available on both the 1-litre and 1.5-litre engine options.
2026 Skoda Kushaq facelift standard equipment
In its pursuit to make premium mobility mainstream and accessible, Skoda has now heavily packed even the base, Classic+ variant. The Kushaq will now have the following equipment as standard across the range — electric sunroof, automatic AC control unit, rear wiper and defogger, automatic/rain-sensing wipers, auto-diming IRVM, alloy wheels (base model gets 16-inch wheels, the rest of the range gets 17-incher options) and all-LED lighting for the front and rear. Additionally, the Classic+ models will also have features like TPMS and cruise control (automatic gearbox model). The Signature variant will be available with remote operation via KESSY (keyless entry, start and exit system), front parking sensors, rear view camera system, wireless charging pad and a cooled glovebox. Whereas, amenities like leatherette upholstered and electrically operated front seats with ventilation function are reserved for the Prestige and Monte Carlo (top-spec) variants.
2026 Skoda Kushaq facelift engine and transmission
Moving on to the mechanical bits, the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine models will get disc brakes on all four corners, while all the 1-litre turbo-petrol variants will get disc brakes only at the front. The 1.5-litre engine models are only offered with a 7-speed DSG option. On the other hand, the 1-litre turbo-petrol engine option continues with a 6-speed manual ’box but has also received a new 8-speed torque converter automatic, replacing the 6-speed auto. As for the performance, the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol mill puts out 147.5bhp and 250Nm of torque, whereas the 1-litre turbo-petrol engine makes 114bhp and 178Nm of torque.
The 1-litre turbo-petrol engine now gets a new 8-speed torque converter automatic 'box in addition to the old 6-speed MT — Shot by Avdhoot A Kolhe for evo India
2026 Skoda Kushaq facelift price
The pricing for this new facelift is yet to be announced. However, when it is launched, this much awaited and needed mid-cycle refresh will see it take the fight to the already thriving segment contenders such as Hyundai Creta, 2026 Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Victoris and Honda Elevate.